Wednesday, 5 December 2012

They may look prickly and unwelcome to many mammals, but cacti can actually provide an unlikely abode for thousands of birds. The Gila Woodpecker in particular is well known for its ability to turn the unwelcoming spiky structure into a homely habitat.

The clever desert dwellers use their long beaks to make holes in the saguaro cacti, which provide a safe cool place for them to raise their young.